CERTAIN AMERICAN POETS

They cowered inert before the study fire

While mighty winds were ranging wide and free,

Urging their torpid fancies to aspire

With “Euhoe! Bacchus! Have a cup of tea.”

They tripped demure from church to lecture-hall,

Shunning the snare of farthingales and curls.

Woman they thought half angel and half doll,

The Muses’ temple a boarding-school for girls.

Quaffing Pierian draughts from Boston pump,

They toiled to prove their homiletic art

Could match with nasal twang and pulpit thump

In maxims glib of meeting-house and mart.

Serenely their ovine admirers graze.

Apollo wears frock-coats, the Muses stays.